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Aston Villa could be gunning for Solskjaer?

Aston Villa has officially opened talks with former Manchester United player, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about replacing the sacked Alex McLeish as manager, according to reports out of Norway.

It’s understood the 39 year old is on his way to Birmingham for discussions at Villa Park.

Solskjaer is currently in charge of Norwegian side, Molde, who he lead to their first league title in a century in his first season in charge, but reports say Solskjaer failed to turn up for training despite his side having a game on Sunday.

A statement on Molde's website reads:

"Molde Football Club is aware of interest and contact from Aston Villa, and is aware that Aston Villa and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are holding talks."

– Molde Football Club

It’s thought Villa’s American owner, Randy Lerner, has dispatched his private jet to collect Solskjaer and his wife from Norway.

Odds on Solskjaer taking charge at Villa were slashed yesterday with the Norwegian dubbed ‘the baby-faced assassin’ by United fans, now the odds-on favourite with bookies. As a player, Solskjaer, who retired after a persistent knee injury in 2008, made 366 appearances for United over 11 years and is most famous for scoring the last minute winner in their 1999 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich that completed the club’s momentous treble. Solskjaer still has three years to run on his contract with Molde and has guided them into next season’s Champions League, but the lure of the Premier League may prove too strong for the man who spent over a decade under the tutelage of Sir Alex Fergusson.